Rudolf Schilling of Chilliwack, B.C. passed away July 26, 1999.

He was born Sept. 10, 1922 to Leopold and Hulda Schilling in Latvia. At an early age, he took responsibility for helping the family, becoming a shepherd and a farmhand.

In the 1930s, he apprenticed as a baker in Riga, Latvia. He enjoyed playing the tenor horn in a brass band. In 1939 he was called into the German army. After the war, he moved to Germany, where he met and married Erika Studensky. They became Christians early in their marriage. He was a locomotive engineer and worked as a welder in the VW plant in Wolfsburg.

In 1953 they immigrated to Canada, sponsored by a Baptist church in Chilliwack. In 1955 they were baptized and joined Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church.

The first years were difficult, but in the late 1950s he became a welder for Canada Lafarge. He also grew strawberries and raspberries and raised beef cattle.

In 1972 he and son Ron bought Yarrow Building Supplies. In 1979 he started Peace River Building Products in Fort St. John, B.C.

During the 1970s, he and Erika made several trips to Germany. He was active in the church and community.

Erika died in 1985.

He married Elsie Warkentin; they enjoyed 12 years together.

He struggled the last 2 years with cancer. He kept a positive outlook, did not complain about his pain, but was cheerful and encouraging.

He is mourned by Elsie; children Heidi Tomlinson of Sardis, B.C., Ron of Yarrow, Rene Giesbrecht of Fort St. John, Gord of Yarrow, Ruby Lefebvre of Ottawa and Bernie of Fort St. John.

The funeral was July 30 in Yarrow MB Church, with Dan Rempel and Siegbert Zukowski ministering.